Letter: "Ranked-Choice Voting"

Ranked-choice voting is the way we should be voting. Here’s how it works: After all the votes are counted and no candidate has received a majority of votes, there’s an instant run-off because voters ranked candidates according to their preference by listing them as No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3.

Let’s say that a voter’s first choice got the least votes. That choice is eliminated. But the vote still has value because a voter’s support then goes to the second choice. This process continues until one candidate receives 50 percent or more of the votes.

Portland, Maine; Hendersonville, North Carolina; Memphis, Tennessee; and other municipalities have had great success with ranked-choice voting. Those voters resoundingly affirm that the ballot design is easy to understand and the instructions are easy to follow. When it’s broken down, it’s an intuitive process. We make choices every day.

Ranked-choice voting is nonpartisan because candidates must appeal to a wider spectrum of voters. They can’t afford to run a “slash-and-burn” campaign.

I want candidates who represent the best ideas. And I want to be empowered with real choices, plus I don’t want to worry that my vote was “wasted” or “spoiled.” If anyone else feels the same, there will be an opportunity to vote on this reform in November 2016.

Ranked choice voting been endorsed by leaders of both parties, including Sen. JohnMcCain, R-Arizona, who said it saves taxes and leads to good government.